Woman accused of trying to smuggle thousands of rounds of ammo into Mexico

PHOENIX (KYMA, KECY) - Homeland Security Investigations said they arrested a woman accused of attempting to smuggle over 20,000 rounds of ammunition into Mexico.

HSI said the 22-year-old woman was booked into the custody of HSI based on charges detailed in a federal criminal complaint which accuses her of attempting to illegally export goods from the United States.

The investigation leading to her arrest resulted from a joint effort involving a DPS traffic stop on the vehicle driven by the woman which was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10. The ammunition was discovered during a subsequent search of the vehicle.

Special agents spoke with the defendant who was arrested and charged with smuggling goods from the U.S. Special agents seized the vehicle and ammunition.

“The investigative effort and teamwork displayed in this case is another example of the great partnerships we strive to build with our local and federal agencies,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge of the HSI Phoenix office.

“The amount of work invested by both law enforcement agencies culminated in an extremely dangerous type of ammunition caliber being seized and prevented their possible use for harm.”

The charges contained in the criminal complaint are merely accusations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, she faces a possible sentence of 10 years in federal prison. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Angela W. Woolridge